The political climate in Rivers State has resulted in numerous confrontations between former governors and their successors, with no apparent conclusion in sight. The most recent example of this drama is the disagreement between the state’s current governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who is currently the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
Twenty-seven assembly members defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) this week as a result of the political division and tension caused by the differences between Fubara and Wike. An attempt to impeach the governor had also been made by some lawmakers in the state.
The rift between Wike and his successor is alleged to have stemmed from the former’s insistence on having substantial control over the affairs of the state despite not being the state governor anymore.
This, however, is not the first time an incumbent governor has been entangled in a dispute with his predecessor in the state. Records show that previous governors and their successors have not enjoyed cordial relationships, and this dates back to 2007.
PETER ODILI V ROTIMI AMAECHI (2007)
In his autobiography titled Conscience and History, Peter Odili, the governor of the state between 1999 and 2007, accused Rotimi Amaechi, his successor, of betraying him after taking over office. Odili said he once advised Amaechi based on an agreement reached at the national level of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which happened to be their party at the time, not to go to court over a nomination dispute regarding his status as the party’s governorship candidate in 2007 but he refused. When Amaechi was eventually declared governor by the Supreme Court, Odili accused him of ruling the state with vengeance on his mind.
“On the 25tth October, 2007, the Supreme Court ordered the immediate swearing-in of Rotimi Amaechi as governor. Amaechi assumed office as governor with the venom of a bitter man on a vengeance mission against all perceived, real and imagined opponents, including me – classic ‘misplaced aggression’. My support gave Amaechi the ticket,” Odili wrote in the book.
“I did all in my power to sustain his candidature in the face of grave opposition from Abuja. He was party to the choice of Omehia as his replacement. My party loyalty and support ensured PDP victory at the election.
“I ensured that we worked hard for PDP to win the governorship election in Rivers State. If my support had gone elsewhere, PDP would not have won in Rivers State, and if PDP did not win in Rivers State, Supreme Court could not have ordered Amaechi to be sworn in as governor.
“These are all immutable facts. These are critical factors that nothing else could therefore have changed and nothing else could be justifiable reason for the hostility unleashed against Dr. Peter Odili on the advent of Governor Amaechi’s administration.”
In an interview granted by Odili in 2014, he said he regretted working for Amaechi to emerge governor of the state. At that point, Amaechi had become a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The two have not been best of friends ever since.
ROTIMI AMAECHI VS NYESOM WIKE (2015)
When Amaechi was sworn in as governor in 2007, one of the first steps he took was to make Nyesom Wike his chief of staff.
Before this, Wike had been the chairman of Obio-Akpor Local Government Area and national president of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON).
Wike supported Amaechi in securing his mandate and this made them friends. Later on, and while he was still governor, Amaechi nominated Wike for a ministerial position under the presidency of Goodluck Jonathan.
However, Amaechi soon fell out with Jonathan and joined the APC. When Amaechi left the PDP, he expected Wike, who had then become the Minister of State, Education, to take sides with him and join his train.
However, Wike chose to pitch his tent with the then president. This marked the beginning of a long-standing feud between the two.
When it was time for the people of the state to elect Amaechi’s successor, Wike, who, vied for governorship office on the platform of the PDP, emerged winner by defeating Dakuku Peterside of the APC.
Amaechi had supported Dakuku to become governor, but Wike enjoyed significant backing from the presidency. With Wike’s emergence as governor, the two no longer saw eye-to-eye. (FIJ)
